Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Watch for small wind slabs at ridge top and take care to manage your sluff in steeper terrain. Avalanche control will occur on Mt. Bourgeau and Mt. Whymper March 10. No activities on these peaks tomorrow.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A nice day Sunday with valley bottom lows of -12 and highs of 0C.Â 3000m temperatures will be slowly rising from -16 to -8C.Â Expect light N/NW winds which will start to increase late in the afternoon.Â Winds will really increase on Monday (100kmh+) at upper elevations and some snow will arrive for Tuesday although amounts are uncertain.Â

Snowpack Summary

A trace to 20 cm of new snow came with moderate to strong SW-W winds. This sits over weak surface facets, previous wind effect and crusts isolated to steep solar slopes. Weaker layers like the Jan.17 surface hoar/facets linger down 40-60 cm in some locations, but are currently lying dormant. A weak basal snowpack exists in thin snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

Some small wind slabs and loose dry avalanches have occurred over the last 24 hours in the alpine but activity is tapering. A ski group triggered a sluff in the Goats Eye feature along the Sunshine ski area road.Â It was a sz. 1.5 and no one was injured.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Cold weather created weak, faceted surface snow. In steep terrain, these facets are easily triggered and can gain enough mass to affect skiers and climbers.

Good group management is essential to manage current conditions safely.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

New small slabs can be found in wind loaded areas up to 40cm thick. These slabs will be found sitting on the weak, faceted snow that was previously on the surface .

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2019 5:00PM